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Jersey City man blasts councilwoman for 'criminals' joke

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Two men hold up signs at the Feb. 27 Jersey City City Council meeting criticizing Ward F Councilwoman Diane Coleman to apologize for a comment she made earlier this month.
(Photo by The Jersey Journal)

Scott McNealy, speaking at tonight’s council meeting, said Coleman has shown “arrogance” for not apologizing for the comment, which she made during a council caucus.

“You can’t terrorize the people that you represent,” McNealy said. “They’ve been terrorized enough.”

Coleman made the controversial comment during a council discussion of a federal jobs program that does not permit individuals with a criminal history to apply. With a laugh, Coleman said, “So that means everybody in Ward F.”

The councilwoman, who joined the nine-member body in November and is running for re-election in May, said later that she was trying to make a serious point about the difficulty many Ward F residents face trying to find jobs.